North America’s only native Astilbe is a dead ringer for Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) except its leaves are fuzzy and have slightly different lobes on the terminal leaflet and they are monecious rather than dioecious. Preference is for part to full shade in moist, humus-rich forest soils. It grows 5-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, forming a large clump. White airy flowers appear June-July. While endemic to the central Appalachian mountains, it is quite adaptable to any woodland garden. Zone 4-8. Unknown ecotype.